How to get started in the legal sector

Having a career in the legal sector is something that many different people decide to pursue. One of the first things they should think about is what kind of job in the law sector they would like and feel they would work best at.

Ways of approaching a law career

When approaching a career in the legal sector, there are many routes into the profession, and some are more efficient and effective than others. It is important that they have a good education up to an advanced-level degree or a professional certificate. Those training to be a paralegal or legal nurse often train for a professional certificate to show their commitment in their particular legal field.

Having proper expertise in other fields can often be a great way to get into the legal profession. Having experience as an accountant, an engineer, a nurse, or in physical science may provide the additional expertise to get a job in law and open more doors. Before training in law, it is important to do as much research as possible. Reading up on qualifications, educational requirements, salaries, job outlooks, and even a visit to a career office can help to narrow down what kind of law career a person wants and the training they will need.

Another key thing is to network and get professional contacts in the field. Contacting local law firms, legal departments, and legal agencies can help to find job openings and learn more about jobs in the sector.

Law education

There is no one right way to go into legal education, and people from all walks of life and backgrounds choose to train in law. The usual undergraduate courses taken before law school are typically history, English, political science, economics, or business. Majoring in other more creative subjects allows for diversity, and such subjects can develop writing and communication skills. There is a wide range of law degrees, including:

Admiralty law

US bankruptcy law

Corporate law

Civil rights law

Criminal law

Environmental law

International law

Personal injury law

Tax law

It is important to be clear about the different law degrees available and which would be more suited to the skills and interests of each student.

Passing the bar

People of all ages all over the world choose to go into a career in law. When the former Vice President of Nigeria Atiku Abubakar’s wife called to Bar, he was extremely proud of her achievements. Jennifer Jamilah Abubakar became successful after training in law, and she was called to the bar in Abuja in 2014. She also has a PhD. This is a great example of someone coming to law later in life with a background that helps them to become a law professional.

There are a variety of ways of getting into the law sector; there are people from diverse backgrounds, and with different qualifications and expertise. After training to be in the law sector, there are thousands of routes that make both a fulfilling and challenging career choice.